On a crisp Friday night in Fort Lauderdale, Lionel Andrés Messi didn’t just play football—he redefined it. With two goals in a 3-1 playoff victory over Nashville SC, the Argentine legend didn’t just carry Inter Miami CF to its first postseason win since his arrival—he cemented his place as the most transformative player in Major League Soccer history. The match, played at Chase Stadium on October 24, 2025, came just six days after he’d clinched the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with a hat-trick in Nashville, and the emotional weight of the moment was palpable.
Golden Boot, Then Golden Moment
The presentation of the Golden Boot—awarded by Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber—took place before kickoff, a rare honor for a player still in the middle of a playoff run. Garber didn’t hold back: "I’m here tonight not just to attend the game but to present Leo with the Golden Boot. I don’t think we ever could have imagined that Leo would have been able to deliver for this club, for this city and for this league the way he had." Messi’s regular season numbers weren’t just good—they were mythic. In 28 appearances, he scored 29 goals and added 19 assists, totaling 48 goal contributions. That’s 1.71 per game, the second-highest single-season mark in MLS history, behind only Carlos Vela’s 49 in 2019. But here’s the twist: Messi did it while leading the league in both goals and assists, a feat no one had ever pulled off before. Not even Zlatan. Not even Landon Donovan. He became the first in MLS history to do it, joining only Sebastian Giovinco (2015) in the elite group of dual-leaders—and even Giovinco didn’t match Messi’s pace.Records That Shattered the Ceiling
Messi didn’t just break records—he vaporized them. He notched 10 multi-goal games in 2025, the most ever by any player in a single MLS season. He strung together five straight multi-goal games from May 28 to July 12, scoring 10 goals in that stretch. No one had ever done more than four. He became the first player to average over 1.0 goals per game while also leading in assists. And he did it all at 38 years old. His form didn’t just elevate Inter Miami—it pulled the entire league into his gravitational field. Attendance at Chase Stadium jumped 42% from 2024, with international broadcasters doubling their coverage. Ticket resale prices for playoff matches hit $1,200 on average, nearly triple the previous record. "It’s not just about soccer," said Miami-Dade County tourism director Elena Torres. "It’s about global recognition. We’re now on the same map as Barcelona, Manchester, and Tokyo."Behind the Goals: The Team That Lifted Him
Messi didn’t do it alone. Jordi Alba was his constant shadow on the left, delivering pinpoint crosses that turned into goals. Luis Suárez, the veteran Uruguayan, played the perfect foil—pressing, harrying, and drawing defenders away from Messi’s space. And then there was 19-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, whose late goal in the 78th minute sealed the win, a moment that had fans screaming as if they’d just won a World Cup. Nashville SC fought hard. Defender Walker Zimmerman made six clearances and blocked three shots, but even his best efforts couldn’t contain the Argentine’s movement. "We knew where he’d go," said Nashville head coach Gary Smith afterward. "We just couldn’t get there fast enough."Three More Years: A League Transformed
The night before the playoff game, Inter Miami announced Messi had signed a three-year extension through 2028. The contract, reportedly worth $25 million annually with performance bonuses, makes him the highest-paid player in MLS history. But the real value isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the ripple effect. Youth academies across Florida have seen a 300% surge in enrollment. MLS clubs are now aggressively pursuing players over 30, betting on longevity and influence. And the league’s broadcast deals? They’ve already been renegotiated for 40% more revenue, with Amazon and Apple bidding aggressively for exclusive rights. Garber put it best: "He has reset the trajectory for Major League Soccer, and we were already doing pretty well. And I think having three more years is just going to be another gift."What’s Next? MVP, Then the Cup
Messi is now the overwhelming favorite to win the 2025 MLS MVP award, which will be announced after the final on December 15. If he wins, he’ll be the first player ever to claim back-to-back MVP honors. But the real prize? The MLS Cup. Inter Miami, the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, are now the clear favorites. Their path: a likely meeting with New York City FC in the conference final, followed by a potential showdown with the Philadelphia Union or Columbus Crew. The league is already talking about hosting the final in Miami—a first for the city. And if Messi scores in the final? The statue will be planned before the final whistle.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Messi’s 2025 season compare to other MLS legends?
Messi’s 29 goals and 19 assists in 2025 outpace even Carlos Vela’s record-setting 2019 season (34 goals, 15 assists, 49 total contributions). He’s the first to lead the league in both goals and assists in the same year, and his 1.71 combined goal/assist average per game is the highest since 2000. No player in MLS history has averaged over 1.0 goals per game while also leading in assists.
Why is Messi’s contract extension such a big deal for MLS?
Messi’s three-year extension through 2028 locks in the league’s biggest global draw at his peak. It signals stability and ambition, encouraging other clubs to invest in veteran stars. Broadcast rights deals have already surged 40%, and youth participation in soccer across the U.S. has spiked 25% since his arrival. His presence alone has made MLS a legitimate global product.
What records did Messi break in the 2025 season?
Messi set records for most multi-goal games in a single season (10), most consecutive multi-goal games (five), and became the first player to lead MLS in both goals and assists in the same year. His 48 goal contributions rank second all-time, and his 1.03 goals-per-game average is the best since Vela’s 2019 campaign.
Can Messi win the 2025 MVP award?
He’s the overwhelming favorite. No player has ever won back-to-back MLS MVPs. Messi won it in 2024, and his 2025 stats are even more dominant. Even if Inter Miami doesn’t win the Cup, his individual impact—driving attendance, media value, and league credibility—makes him the clear choice. A second MVP would cement his legacy as the greatest regular-season performer in MLS history.
How has Messi changed soccer culture in South Florida?
Before Messi, Inter Miami averaged 22,000 fans per game. In 2025, that jumped to over 31,000, with sellouts in every playoff match. Youth academies in Miami-Dade County reported a 300% increase in sign-ups. Spanish-language broadcasts now dominate local TV. Even non-soccer fans now know who Messi is—and they’re buying jerseys. He didn’t just join a team; he became the face of a cultural shift.
What’s the next milestone for Inter Miami?
The MLS Cup. Inter Miami has won the Supporters’ Shield twice in a row but has yet to capture the postseason trophy. With Messi’s form, a deep roster, and home-field advantage in the playoffs, they’re the favorites. A win in December would make them the first team to win the Shield and Cup in consecutive years since LA Galaxy in 2011–2012—and the first to do it with a 38-year-old legend at the helm.
